Patient respiratory mask with integrated microphone and method of patient communication utilizing the same

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure presents a patient respiratory mask that is configured to pick up patient speech from within the patient respiratory mask utilizing a microphone and to transmit that speech to a speaker or other communications device and a method of patient communication utilizing the same.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.17/089,903, filed Nov. 5, 2020, which is a continuation of U.S.application Ser. No. 15/611,136, filed Jun. 1, 2017, which claimspriority to U.S. Provisional No. 62/353,099 filed Jun. 22, 2016, each ofwhich are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates patient respiratory masks, and inparticular, patient respiratory masks, such as continuous positive airpressure (CPAP) or other (e.g., bi-level positive airway pressure(BiPAP)) devices, said respiratory masks that include a microphone, themicrophone configured to interface with a wired or wireless speakerand/or a wired or wireless communications device, such as a telephone.

In a clinical setting, with a patient that requires the use of arespiratory mask that restricts the ability to communicate naturally,coherent conversation with visitors or via telephone is universallydifficult. This is due, at least in part, to the intervening plasticmaterial as well as to noise of the airflow and machinery.

Accordingly, there is a need in the art for a patient respiratory maskthat is configured to pick up patient speech from within the patientrespiratory mask or associated accessories, utilizing a microphone, andtransmitting that speech to an external speaker or other communicationsdevice.

SUMMARY

The above-described and other problems and disadvantages of the priorart are overcome or alleviated by the present patient respiratory maskthat includes a microphone, the microphone configured to interface witha wired or wireless speaker and/or a wired or wireless communicationsdevice, such as a telephone.

In exemplary embodiments, the microphone is a noise-cancellingmicrophone. In further embodiments, the microphone includes or isassociated with at least one noise filter. In further exemplaryembodiments, one or more of the microphone, speaker and communicationsdevice is in a wireless configuration.

In further exemplary embodiments, an on-board speaker is integrated intoa portion of the respiratory mask coupler. In further exemplaryembodiments, a speaker is external to the mask coupler.

In additional exemplary embodiments, the patient respiratory maskincludes an internal and/or coupler adapted noise cancelling microphonewith wireless, e.g., Bluetooth, capability. In further exemplaryembodiments, the microphone signal is processed utilizingnoise-cancelling sound processing. In exemplary embodiments, themicrophone is attached to or built into a respiratory mask or mask fluiddelivery tube.

In additional exemplary embodiments, the respiratory mask includes acoupler between a fluid delivery tube and a facial mask portion, thecoupler including one or more of a microphone, speaker, wiring,processor, or communications device. In exemplary embodiments, one ormore of the preceding elements are embedded in or provided through aportion of the coupler. In further exemplary embodiments, one or more ofthe elements described herein are embedded in or provided through adevice connected to the coupler via power and/or signal wiring.

In further exemplary embodiments, the microphone is configured towirelessly transmit a patient's voice, via Bluetooth technology, to aBluetooth speaker in proximity to and in communication with theBluetooth transmitter. In further exemplary embodiments, the microphoneis configured to wirelessly transmit a patient's voice, via Bluetoothtechnology, to a Bluetooth-enabled smartphone in proximity to and incommunication with the Bluetooth speaker and/or the Bluetoothtransmitter. While a Bluetooth speaker and an exemplary Bluetoothsmartphone are specifically described, the present disclosurecontemplates other Bluetooth communications devices. And while Bluetoothis specifically described, the present disclosure contemplates otherwireless technologies, including but not limited to Wi-Fi.

The above-discussed and other features and advantages of the presentinvention will be appreciated and understood by those skilled in the artfrom the following detailed description and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring now to the drawings, wherein like elements are numbered alikein the following FIGURES:

FIG. 1 is a rear elevation view of an exemplary respiratory maskincluding a microphone in accordance with exemplary embodiments of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an exemplary respiratory mask utilizinga microphone coupler provided on the fluid delivery tube near therespiratory mask in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an exemplary coupler deviceincorporating a microphone, including a schematic of communicationscomponents for the coupler in accordance with exemplary embodiments ofthe present disclosure;

FIG. 4A is a perspective view of an exemplary clip-on accessoryincluding a microphone in accordance with the exemplary embodiments ofthe present disclosure;

FIG. 4B is a side elevation view of an exemplary clip-on accessoryincluding a microphone in accordance with the exemplary embodiments ofthe present disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a front elevation view of an exemplary wired tube andrespiratory mask coupler including a microphone in accordance withexemplary embodiments of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 6 is a side elevation view of exemplary tube and cord lengthssecured to one another via multiple harness clips in accordance withexemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As was noted above, the present disclosure relates to a patientrespiratory mask that includes a microphone disposed thereon, themicrophone is configured to interface with a wired or wireless speakerand/or a wired or wireless communications device, such as a telephone.While the following is described in reference to various exemplaryembodiments, the present disclosure is not so limited.

In some exemplary embodiments, the microphone is a noise-cancellingmicrophone. In further embodiments, the microphone includes or isassociated with at least one noise filter. In further exemplaryembodiments, one or more of the microphone, speaker and communicationsdevice is wireless. It is to be understood that reference to acomponent, such as a microphone, speaker, etc., as being wireless ortransmitting wirelessly encompasses configurations wherein such deviceis connected to a component that includes a wireless transmitter and/orreceiver. Accordingly, any reference herein to a “wireless” componentshould be read to encompass such a construction.

In further exemplary embodiments, an on-board speaker is integrated intoa portion of the respiratory mask. In further exemplary embodiments, aspeaker is external to the mask.

As we have noted, in exemplary embodiments, the patient respiratory maskincludes an internal and/or coupler- or tube-adapted noise-cancellingmicrophone with wireless, e.g., Bluetooth, capability. In exemplaryembodiments, the microphone is attached to or built into a respiratorymask, a coupler designed to attach to the mask tube interface, or maskfluid delivery tube (e.g., for oxygen, air or some other gas). Inadditional exemplary embodiments, the coupler includes one or more of amicrophone, a speaker, wiring, processor and a communications device. Inexemplary embodiments one or more of the preceding elements are embeddedin or provided through a portion of the coupler.

As we have also noted, further exemplary embodiments, the microphonewirelessly transmits a patient's voice, via Bluetooth technology, to aBluetooth speaker in proximity to and in communication with theBluetooth transmitter. Reference herein to a “Bluetooth” device refersto a device that is enabled to use Bluetooth technology.

In further exemplary embodiments, the microphone wirelessly transmits apatient's voice, via Bluetooth technology, to a Bluetooth smartphone inproximity to and in communication with the Bluetooth speaker and/orBluetooth transmitter. While a Bluetooth speaker and an exemplaryBluetooth smartphone are specifically described, the present disclosurecontemplates other Bluetooth communications devices.

Referring now to FIG. 1 , one exemplary patient respiratory mask inaccordance with the present disclosure includes an exemplary microphoneprovided therein. In exemplary embodiments, the respiratory mask is aCPAP (or BIPAP) respiratory mask, shown generally at 10, with a maskportion 12 and a Bluetooth microphone 14 that is incorporated within afluid airspace, shown generally at 16, of the mask 10 near the mouth(not shown) of a patient. The exemplary mask also includes a fluiddelivery tube 18 and at least one mask inlet 20.

In exemplary embodiments, the microphone 14 is mounted on or is providedwithin the material of the mask. In another exemplary embodiment, themicrophone is provided in a separate microphone tube (not shown) thatmay extend at least partially into the fluid airspace of the mask 10. Infurther exemplary embodiments, the microphone tube is at least partiallysealed, for example via plastic or a membrane that is at leastmoderately transparent to sound but that also separately maintains theintegrity of the fluid airspace 16 within the respiratory mask 10. Suchan exemplary microphone tube may be provided within or be mounted to therespiratory mask 10, a fluid delivery tube 18, or any coupler 22 orportions intermediate the fluid delivery tube 18 the respiratory mask10.

Referring now to FIG. 2 , another exemplary patient respiratory mask 10incorporates such Bluetooth microphone 14 into a coupler device 22 thatis positioned between the fluid delivery tube 18 and the respiratorymask 10. In exemplary embodiments, the coupler 22 is sized andconfigured to provide a friction fit for the mask inlet 20 on one sideand for the fluid delivery tube 18 on the other side. Referring to FIG.3 , an exemplary coupler 22 includes a mask inlet side, shown generallyat 32, a fluid supply tube side, shown generally at 34, with bulk airflow traversing the interior of the tube generally at the arrows of 36.

In an exemplary embodiment, a microphone 14 is separated from the bulkair flow 36 by a filter 38, which may be configured to filter one ormore sound characteristics or to simply shield the microphone from bulkair flow. The filter 38 may be a membrane, acoustic mesh, or any otherconvenient sound transmitting material.

In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the microphone is illustratedas being operatively connected to a microphone pre-amplifier 40, anequalization component 42 (for example an analog to digital converter(ADC) and digital signal processor (DSP)), a Bluetooth transmitter 44, asound output component, such as a digital to analog converter (DAC),amplifier (Amp) and speaker 45, an antenna 46 and a power supply 47,such as a battery or wired power adapter. These components areillustrated in this exemplary embodiment as being both connected to themicrophone and as being housed on a protruding portion 48 of the coupler22. However, it should be recognized that the microphone may beconfigured on-board the coupler 22 with more or fewer associatedcomponents, with some components or processes omitted or performedelsewhere, e.g., on the exterior of the coupler 22, remote from thecoupler 22, etc. Additionally, the coupler can take any convenient shapewhen housing such components, as long as connecting portions 32 and 34are configured to connect to the mask inlet 20 and the fluid deliverytube 18, respectively.

In exemplary embodiments, the coupler may be configured to attach to thefluid delivery tube, regardless of any variation in tube diameter (e.g.,differences in configurations warranting use of a 19 mm standard tubevs. a 15 mm thin tube). Thus, exemplary embodiments provide a universalattachment (e.g., as a clip on, etc., as shown in FIG. 4 ) configured tofit a wide array of tubes and breathing apparatuses.

In other exemplary embodiments, the microphone or other electroniccomponents are configured to attach externally (for example as aclip-type attachment, among others) to the respiratory mask 10 but inclose proximity to the patient's fluid airspace (see 16 in FIG. 1 ).Referring now to FIG. 4A, a clip 50 is illustrated with a microphoneunit 14 provided on an underside of the clip. In exemplary embodiments,the clip 50 also interfaces with a power and signal wire 54 via a port56. While such a clip may be configured to attach anywhere that isconvenient to place the microphone unit 14 near a sound transmittingsurface, for example the inlet portion 20 of mask 10 or an exteriorportion of a coupler 22, FIG. 4 illustrates provision of the clip 50over a portion of the fluid deliver hose 18, with the microphone unitagainst or proximate the material of the hose to pick up soundvibrations transmitted through the hose. It should be recognized thatwhile FIG. 4 illustrates a wired configuration, the microphone unit canalso be configured with a battery and a wireless (e.g., Bluetooth)transmitter. FIG. 4B illustrates an exemplary side elevation view of theclip 50, with microphone 14 positioned to be near tube 18 in aninstalled position.

Referring now to FIG. 5 , an exemplary fluid delivery tube 18 isillustrated as including an integrated coupler 22 that incorporates anexemplary microphone 14 (see FIG. 2 ) therein and is attachable to orintegral to respiratory fluid delivery tube 18. An exemplary power cord24 runs at least along a portion of the tube 18 to the microphone 14(which may be configured in a wired or wireless, e.g., Bluetooth,arrangement). As we have noted above, the coupler may also include othercomponents, such as processing or filtering components, a wirelesstransmitter, etc., in addition to or alternative to the microphone, suchas a speaker, wiring or any other type of communications device.

In further exemplary embodiments, the microphone 14 may be configured asa wired microphone utilizing the exemplary cord 24 or another cord fordata transmission. In additional exemplary embodiments, the microphonemay be wireless and may be connected to a battery source, with no cordsrunning along a portion of the tube 18.

In further exemplary embodiments, an exemplary cord can be configuredwith one or more clips to secure it to the hose 18 or as an integralpart of the hose 18, for example embedded or permanently attached to thetube 18 or to a tube wiring harness. Exemplary wire harness clips 62 areillustrated as attaching a cord 24 to tube 18 in FIG. 6 . In exemplaryembodiments, the cord 24 is configured as a wiring harness secured atone or more places via harness clips 62, with the cord connectable to acoupler 22 (as in FIGS. 2 and 3 ) or a mask (as in FIG. 1 ).

For any wired configurations, the remote (from the mask) end of the cord24 may be configured to connect to additional components, such as aspeaker, processor, network, power, etc.

Exemplary embodiments contemplate non-rechargeable, battery-drivenBluetooth microphones as well as rechargeable battery Bluetoothmicrophones with a port or cable or wireless connection for rechargingvia an external power source, or directly corded microphones (providingconstant power).

In exemplary embodiments, the patient respiratory mask, inclusive of theBluetooth microphone, is configured as a disposable device. In exemplaryembodiments, one or more components, such as the mask, coupler or hose,is configured as a disposable product to have a pre-determined workinglifetime. In further exemplary embodiments, life indicators may be usedto identify an end of the working respirator mask lifetime determinedfrom unpacking from a sterile field. In a further exemplary embodiment,a battery in communication with the microphone is configured to expireor switch off at end of the working respirator mask lifetime. Inadditional exemplary embodiments wherein one or more components isprovided in the above-described coupler, such coupler may also, or inthe alternative, include one or more life indicators.

In other exemplary embodiments, the patient respiratory mask and/orfluid delivery tube is configured to be reusable, with the Bluetoothmicrophone being at least partially water resistant. In furtherexemplary embodiments, the Bluetooth microphone is waterproof or ishoused in a waterproof enclosure. In such exemplary embodiments, thepatient respiratory mask and/or tube may be configured with a Bluetoothmicrophone configured to withstand cleaning via use of cleaning agents,e.g., enzymatic cleaning solutions, rinses, disinfectants andpasteurizations, among others. Further exemplary embodiments provide aBluetooth microphone or microphone enclosure configured to withstand theeffects of cleaning as well as effects of drying at utility or otherstations.

Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure also relate to anexemplary system with a patient respiratory mask positioned on apatient, the respiratory mask including a Bluetooth noise cancellingmicrophone within or adjacent to the patient's fluid airspace, and atleast one external Bluetooth communications device. In the illustratedexemplary embodiment, a Bluetooth speaker and a Bluetooth smartphone areillustrated as being in communication with the microphone. In exemplaryembodiments, at least the microphone and one external Bluetoothcommunication device are pre-paired to permit instantaneous connectionwhen within the proper proximity. In other exemplary embodiments, theBluetooth microphone continually broadcasts pairing information and isopen for pairing subject to confirmation by the external Bluetoothcommunications device. Other exemplary communications devices are alsocontemplated herein, including, without limitation, personal assistants,including media platforms such as the Google Home or AmazonEcho/Tap/Alexa, etc., that also might have a speaker that is usable forpatient communications as well as the ability to accept commands for anyof its functions (e.g., to play music or call someone via voice overInternet protocol or other means). Other exemplary embodiments have aspeaker integral with the mask, coupler or fluid tube. Additionally,other communications protocols may be used in conjunction with theabove-described wireless protocols and others (e.g., non-Bluetoothwireless protocols), such as Wi-Fi.

As we have noted, a speaker or other communications device may beexternal or may be integrated into the mask portion, coupler or fluiddelivery tube. Additionally, such speaker or other communications devicecan be configured to communicate wirelessly or in a wired mode. In afurther exemplary aspect, both modes are configured, and the system isconfigured to automatically or manually (via a switch or application)switch modes.

In further exemplary embodiments an application running on a processorcontrols one or more aspects of the system, including withoutlimitation: speaker or communications device mode; noisefiltering/canceling or processing parameters; microphone parameters;wireless connections to devices; and monitoring for new devices inrange.

In further exemplary embodiments, power for one or more components issupplied by a power cable with any convenient terminal ends, for example110 volt outlet termination, USB, lightning connector, etc.

In other exemplary embodiments, bone induction or an in-ear, behind theear or in-canal hearing aid provides or delivers a sound signal to thepatient, with bone induction or hearing aid equipment wired to orwirelessly communicating with the respiratory mask system.

In exemplary embodiments, when the user (patient) of the respiratorymask speaks, their voice will be captured by the noise cancelingmicrophone as the sound hits the interior structure of the mask and/ortravels down the tube. Once the voice is captured in the device, it istransferred via Bluetooth technology to a free-standing speaker wheretheir voice will be amplified. In other exemplary embodiments, the voiceis transferred to a speaker on the mask, coupler or tube where the voicewill be amplified.

In other exemplary embodiments, the system is configured to distinguishbetween direct human interaction (conversation) and digital interaction(e.g., voice signals from a mobile phone) and automatically switchoutput to one of plural possible wireless communications devicesdepending on the detected signal. Alternative automatic or manualswitching is further contemplated herein with regard to exemplaryembodiments, for switching between a nearby Bluetooth speaker and acommunications device (e.g., a mobile telephone, facilitating patientconversation with a remote individual). In other embodiments, multipleBluetooth devices may be connected at the same time via bridgingcapabilities. Such a switching or bridging capability may be e.g.,provided alongside the microphone or anywhere in range of the Bluetoothmicrophone. In other embodiments, multiple Bluetooth devices may beconnected at the same time via multiple connections or modes.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that, while exemplaryembodiments have been shown and described, various modifications andvariations can be made to the invention disclosed herein withoutdeparting from the spirit or scope of the invention. Also, the exemplaryimplementations described above should be read in a non-limitingfashion, both with regard to construction and methodology. Accordingly,it is to be understood that the various embodiments have been describedby way of illustration and not limitation.

What is claimed is:
 1. A patient respiratory mask, comprising: a maskportion defining an interior airspace, the mask portion comprising aninlet to the interior airspace; a fluid delivery tube in fluidcommunication with the interior airspace; a coupler between the inlet ofthe mask portion and the fluid delivery tube; and a microphone withinthe coupler, wherein the microphone is positioned within or in closeproximity to the interior airspace to pick up speech from the patient.2. The patient respiratory mask of claim 1, further comprising a speakerand wherein the microphone is operatively connected with the speaker. 3.The patient respiratory mask of claim 2, wherein the microphone isoperatively connected to the speaker by a wired connection.
 4. Thepatient respiratory mask of claim 2, wherein the microphone isoperatively connected to the speaker by a wireless connection.
 5. Thepatient respiratory mask of claim 2, wherein the microphone isoperatively connected to the speaker by one or more of a microphonepre-amplifier, an equalization component, a Bluetooth transmitter, asound output component, and an amplifier.
 6. The patient respiratorymask of claim 1, wherein the microphone comprises a filter configured toshield the microphone from bulk air flow or to filter one or more soundcharacteristics.
 7. The patient respiratory mask of claim 1, furthercomprising a speaker operatively connected with the microphone, whereinthe microphone and speaker are housed together within the coupler.
 8. Apatient respiratory mask, comprising: a mask portion defining aninterior airspace, the mask portion comprising an inlet to the interiorairspace; a fluid delivery tube in fluid communication with the interiorairspace; a coupler between the inlet of the mask portion and the fluiddelivery tube; a microphone provided through a portion of the coupler,wherein the microphone is positioned within or in close proximity to theinterior airspace when provided through the coupler to pick up speechfrom the patient; and a speaker operatively connected with themicrophone by a wired or wireless connection.
 9. The patient respiratorymask of claim 8, wherein the microphone and speaker are contained withina housing provided through a portion of the coupler.
 10. The patientrespiratory mask of claim 9, wherein the microphone and speaker areoperatively connected by a wired connection.
 11. The patient respiratorymask of claim 9, wherein the speaker and microphone are operativelyconnected to the speaker by one or more of a microphone pre-amplifier,an equalization component, a Bluetooth transmitter, a sound outputcomponent, and an amplifier.
 12. The patient respiratory mask of claim9, wherein the housing comprises a filter configured to shield themicrophone from bulk air flow or to filter one or more soundcharacteristics.
 13. The patient respiratory mask of claim 8, furthercomprising a processor controlling one or more aspects of the patientrespiratory mask selected from the group consisting of speaker orcommunications device mode, noise filtering/canceling or processingparameters, microphone parameters, wireless connections to devices, andmonitoring for new devices in range.
 14. A communications system,comprising: a respiratory mask worn by a patient, the respiratory maskcomprising: a mask portion defining an interior airspace, the maskportion comprising an inlet to the interior airspace; a fluid deliverytube coupled with the inlet, whereby the fluid delivery tube is in fluidcommunication with the interior airspace; a housing, the housingcomprising: a microphone, and a speaker operatively connected with themicrophone; wherein the microphone is provided within a microphone tubeextending at least partially into the fluid airspace of the mask toposition the microphone in close proximity to the patient's mouth, andwherein the microphone tube is provided within or mounted to any of therespiratory mask, the inlet, the fluid delivery tube, or a couplerintermediate the fluid delivery tube and respiratory mask.
 15. Thesystem of claim 14, wherein the speaker is operatively connected withthe microphone by a wired or wireless connection.
 16. The system ofclaim 15, wherein the speaker is operatively connected with themicrophone by a wired connection.
 17. The system of claim 16, whereinthe speaker and microphone are operatively connected to the speaker byone or more of a microphone pre-amplifier, an equalization component, aBluetooth transmitter, a sound output component, and an amplifier. 18.The system of claim 16, wherein the housing is provided within a couplerintermediate the fluid delivery tube and respiratory mask.
 19. Thesystem of claim 16, wherein the housing is provided within the inlet.20. The system of claim 14, wherein the housing comprises a filterconfigured to shield the microphone from bulk air flow or to filter oneor more sound characteristics.
 21. The system of claim 14, wherein themicrophone tube is at least partially sealed by a plastic or a membraneat least moderately transparent to sound, and wherein the plastic ormembrane maintains the integrity of the interior airspace of therespiratory mask.
 22. The system of claim 14, further comprising aprocessor controlling one or more aspects of the patient respiratorymask selected from the group consisting of speaker or communicationsdevice mode, noise filtering/canceling or processing parameters,microphone parameters, wireless connections to devices, and monitoringfor new devices in range.